The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT(UK)) supports the Prime Minister’s commitment to two-thirds of young people entering higher level education and training and the goals of closer integration of Further and Higher Education to support lifelong learning, as set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper.
The white paper refers to aligning priority training provision with priority sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy. Given logistics and freight is highlighted in the strategy as making “a vital contribution to the UK economy and the competitiveness of the IS-8 [priority sectors]” and substantial Government commitments to infrastructure projects are likely to increase demand for sector expertise, CILT(UK) suggests logistics and transport be given equivalent priority in terms of future skills. 
The white paper provides useful clarification that the rollout of the Growth and Skills Levy will begin in April 2026 and refers to increased flexibility through for Apprenticeship unit short courses. However, there remains as yet no firm commitment to previously indicated levy flexibility to fund non-Apprenticeship provision, for example regulated vocational qualifications and non-regulated training, which we hope to see in future phases of the rollout.
As a founding partner of Generation Logistics, a pioneering industry-led and government-backed campaign to raise awareness of the logistics sector with young people, CILT(UK)’s welcomes the white paper’s commitment to greater focus on pre-16 and pre-19 vocational education while strengthening careers information, advice, guidance and expertise at schools, colleges and via the new Jobs and Careers Service, supporting the proposed Youth Guarantee of post-school education and / or employment.
In terms of qualifications, the document focuses on new and existing government-led technical provision aimed primarily at young people such as T-levels and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ). CILT(UK) would urge decision makers not to overlook the relevance and value of upskilling and reskilling through adult education and existing relevant high quality Vocational Qualifications (VQs) provided by regulated awarding organisations, many of which (like CILT(UK)) are Chartered professional membership bodies with specialist sector expertise. CILT(UK) offers key sector qualifications such as Transport Manager Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC) and qualifications for logistics professionals at Levels 3, 5 and 6, mapped to CILT(UK)’s professional membership levels and Competency Framework.
The Government’s proposed investment in Further Education teaching by establishing a “career-long professional development pathway” with the aim of “supporting industry professionals to thrive as teachers” that can offer “specific and up-to-date industry knowledge”, will be critical for sectors such as logistics and transport.
CILT(UK) is supportive of the Government’s aim to increase financial sustainability of the Higher Education sector, as the co-ordinator of Novus, a not-for-profit collaboration between universities and industry to provide sector courses that offer undergraduate support and graduate work placements, to attract, inspire and develop the next generation of supply chain professionals.
The white paper outlines a localised approach to skills, employment and associated funding led by devolved bodies such as Strategic Authorities to better target skills training. We would suggest this approach could be supported by a national co-ordination / information hub to assist learners and employers with navigating access to local skills initiatives and funding while assisting learning providers and awarding organisations with matching relevant provision to varying local priorities.
Given the white paper makes a number of references to the key future role of artificial intelligence in the economy and the impact on the labour market, CILT(UK) would suggest there is a need for the Government publish a sector-based future skills AI transition plan. It also refers to the Office for Students assessing the impact of AI on “how students are using it assessments, to ensure the integrity of higher education assessments and qualifications are not compromised”. CILT(UK) would support this also being taken forward by the qualification regulators in Further Education with a view to providing regulatory guidance to support awarding organisations offering vocational assessments and qualifications in the context of AI, to assist with providing clarity and consistency for centres and learners.
We look forward to further clarity and detail being provided regarding the white paper proposals in the coming months, and continued collaboration with industry stakeholders in anticipation of the Government’s new plan for freight and logistics later this year.